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Insane Growth of Harrisburg School District

It seems that there just isn’t enough room for all the Harrisburg kids to get an education as the situation stands right now.  The schools are literally bursting at the seams in Harrisburg and its middle and elementary school are really close to full capacity; hence they won’t have any room for expansion. As would be expected in such a situation, monies are needed once more.  In fact, the district is now asking its electorate to say “yes” to a $38 million bond.

As Rich Schneider, the school principal for the city’s Middle School pointed noted that once capacity is reached, either portables will have to be used or add-ons, both of which require finances.  According to Jim Holbeck, the city’s Superintendent, there is even the thought of bussing kids between schools but this would only “be a one-year fix and then we’ll be right back at the same place.”  Thus, as he concluded, “There’s no good plan B.”

It’s good news for Harrisburg of course, on the one hand, that the city is expanding so much as this suggests it’s a good place to live and especially to raise kids since so many of the people have school-age kids.  But clearly it’s a problem that warrants a solution, and, as in most of these instances, finances are needed and cue to Harrisburg’s recent flooding issues, not something that is so readily available.

Harrisburg Education System Gets Green Thumbs Up

Instead of just learning the theory behind gardens and plants, a local elementary school in the Harrisburg region is going to be able to actually get their fingers green and take their studying outside into the garden.  As part of the Delta Garden Study program, students from Harrisburg Middle School will be forming an understanding of exactly how plants are grown, through their outdoor science class on a twice weekly basis.

School-Grown Harrisburg Veggies

So the students will be planting a whole slew of different vegetables during their science class, including broccoli, cauliflower, carrots and cabbage.  As well, they will be responsible for all the necessary maintenance such as the chicken coop.  Clearly this has been working a treat and the kids are really taking it seriously as they have already named the chickens!  It’s likely that the students will take this to the next step and develop healthy eating habits as well.  So while they’re getting an education, at the same time they’re developing healthier eating habits and getting a bit of a physical workout too!  It’s so  much more than play time; it’s a whole new approach to life, learning and exercise.

Harrisburg Middle School is hosting “dig day” on October 14th, where students take part in expanding the garden by two-thirds.